Speedy Ladies Line Up in Friday’s Honorable Miss

Friday’s ten-race card at Saratoga gets underway with a first post of 1:00 ET, and the betting card features a pair of stakes, the $100,000 John’s Call and the $200,000 Honorable Miss (G2).

The John’s Call drew a field of six turf runners who will go the marathon distance of 1 5/8 miles over the Spa turf.

Tahoe Lake, who is coming off a third place finish in the Man ‘O War (G1) at Belmont Park is the 9-5 morning line favorite and takes on five foes in the race that is restricted to non-winners of a graded stake in 2012.

The Honorable Miss drew eight fillies and mares that will go six furlongs on the main track.

The race is top heavy with early speed types including It’s Me Mom, who has won 11 of her 18 career starts, each of her victories coming in front running style.

She will need to have her running shoes on as she steps up into graded stakes company. Winning Image, Roman Treasure, and Maple Forest all like to be on the lead

It’s Me Mom is coming off a gate to wire score over the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle in the Satin and Lace, her 11th win in 18 career starts. This filly is really quick and she will need to be as this race is top heavy with early speed types. She has run just as well on dirt as she has on the fake stuff and her only recent poor showing was two back in the Skipat at Pimlico where she dueled for the early lead and faded to finish fifth. She was coming off a big effort at Tampa Bay Downs three back where she matched her career top speed fig. She is quick enough to grab the lead she will be tough here, and note that bullet drill at Suffolk, 44.3 out of the gate on July 30.

Beat the Blues made a mild late rally to finish third last out in the Blue Sparkler at Monmouth Park, beaten five lengths by Maple Forest. Two back she made a good middle move and could not match strides in deep stretch with Island Bound. She is making her third start of her current form cycle and is going to get a good pace set up here as the early fractions are going to be hot. The track profile gives the edge to horses on or near the lead, but if there is a pace meltdown here she will be waiting in the wings. Rosie picks up the call and she should get overlooked on the tote.

C C’s Pal chased the early pace, grabbed brief lead and did not have enough punch left late in a third place finish in the Bed ‘o Roses (G2) going seven furlongs at Belmont Park. She earned a career top two back taking the field gate to wire to win the Vagrancy (G2). The mare is usually right in the mix and she has shown she can sit off the pace and pounce. She looks likely to rebound here and should be sitting in a good spot as they turn for home.